Gophers running back Shannon Brooks was a surprise scratch from Saturday’s 44-31 win over Purdue at TCF Bank Stadium.

Minnesota’s second-leading rusher wasn’t full speed at Thursday’s practice, “and I don’t like to play kids if they’re not full speed,” coach Tracy Claeys said after the game.

Brooks did not suit up with the undisclosed injury, but he was on the sideline, hopping up and down and cheering on his teammates. He missed two games to start the year with a broken foot suffered during preseason camp.

Without Brooks to help share the workload, leading rusher Rodney Smith had 24 carries for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Mitch Leidner added 14 carries for 74 yards and two TDs.

“More of the adjustment is we ran Mitch more,” Claeys said. “We had to take some carries off of (Rodney). The offensive staff did a good job with the zone-read stuff, finding ways to run that with Mitch and take some of the carries off of Rodney.”

Smith hobbled off the field in the fourth quarter, but had his ankle re-tapped and returned to action. Backup running back Kobe McCrary added five carries for eight yards.

ANOTHER TARGETING CALL

Linebacker Nick Rallis was called for targeting in the fourth quarter, making it six times the Gophers have been called for it this season.

By rule, Rallis will miss the first half of next Saturday’s game against Nebraska.

During the broadcast, Big Ten Network officiating commentator Mike Pereira said, “I certainly would like to see them reverse this.”

Claeys said he didn’t know if the call against Rallis could be overturned by the Big Ten. Claeys said he or his staff will communicate with the league office to determine their options.

“I would add more but Christmas is coming up and I would much rather use my money on Christmas presents than send it to the Big Ten,” Claeys said.

The Gophers also lost linebacker Cody Poock to a shoulder injury. Without him and Rallis, they could be shorthanded in the middle next week.

OFFENSIVE LINE SHIFTING

Right tackle Jonah Pirsig returned after a three-game absence with an ankle injury. Garrison Wright had moved from left tackle to right tackle to fill in for Pirsig.

With Pirsig back, Wright moved inside to right guard, but left with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Connor Mayes and Vincent Calhoun.

CARPENTER CAREER LONGS

Emit Carpenter hit consecutive career-long field goals in the first half, connecting from 52 yards and then from 53. He is the first Minnesota kicker to have two 50-plus field goals in a game since Adam Bailey in 1997.

Carpenter, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist for best kicker in the country, had a previous long of 46 yards in the Oct. 1 game against Penn State.

HOLDER OF THE YEAR

Former Gophers punter Peter Mortell is still cracking jokes.

A year ago, the senior from Green Bay created the Holder of the Year award to add to the long list of honors already bestowed on college football players. In a stroke of fate, Mortell gave the inaugural distinction to himself for his role on field goals.

On Twitter on Friday, he announced that Holder of the Year is back for a second season. He introduced a list of 77 candidates, including the Gophers’ Jacob Herbers.

ESPN’s Chris Fowler replied, “Have you made a semifinalist list?! Time to narrow it, boss.”

Mortell followed up with: “The semifinalist list comes out next Friday. Big weekend for holders everywhere.”

Mortell’s claims the “committee” will weigh four criteria: quality of cadence, fluidity of hands (catch to hold), position of laces and post-hold celebrations.

“Last year’s recipient was Peter Mortell, who also coincidentally, created the award,” Mortell tweeted.

In his acceptance speech last year, Mortell said: “ ‘Your hands are slow, they said. ‘Your cadence has no rhythm,’ they said. This one’s for the state of Minnesota.”

Jokes aside, Mortell was a pretty sound punter last year for Minnesota. He had a 43.4-yard average, with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line and 21 boots over 50-plus yards.

He was in camp with his hometown Packers and is awaiting another shot in the NFL.

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